Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice [Paperback]

Ansel L. Woldt (Author), Sarah M. Toman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0761927913 | ISBN-13: 978-0761927914 | Edition: 1

Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice is an introductory text, written by major Gestalt theorists, that will engage those new to Gestalt therapy. Editors Ansel Woldt and Sarah M. Toman introduce the historical underpinnings and fundamental concepts of Gestalt therapy and illustrate applications of those concepts to therapeutic practice. The book is unique in that it is the first Gestalt text specifically designed for the academic and training institute settings. Gestalt Therapy takes both a conceptual and a practical approach to examining classic and cutting-edge constructs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an incredibly important addition to the world of psychotherapy and Gestalt, in particular. This book will be very helpful for use with various courses of study, not just Gestalt institutes and special training programs, but also general graduate school classes in masters programs for mental health, social work, counseling, allied health professionals, psychiatry, and psychology. I highly recommend this book. I think it will make an excellent contribution."

(Norman Shub )

"Ansel L. Woldt and Sarah M. Toman have put together a monumental text that fills a gap in the genre of serious Gestalt literature that has remained relatively empty since Perls, Hefferline, and Goodman's Gestalt Therapy was published in 1951. This is not to say that there haven't been extraordinary works in this field published since then; however, this is one of the most expansive books of the recent collection. Each of the chapter authors has written impressive selections that, taken one-by-one, are valuable additions for serious students and practitioners. What earns this book an evaluation as extraordinary is both the content and the structure."

(J. Edward Lynch )

"The format is intriguing, lively, and the 'dialogue' sections will allow other voices to speak because, as with all good theory, there is not unanimity regarding the nature and/or importance of various concepts."

(Lynne Jacobs )

About the Author

Ansel Woldt (Ed.D., Counseling Psychology, University of North Dakota, 1968) is Professor Emeritus of Counseling at Kent State University. Dr. Woldt has extensive experience in Gestalt teaching, research, editorial work, international organizational activity, and clinical practice dating back to the 1960s. He serves as Associate Editor for the Gestalt Review and was a primary founder of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy, where he continues to hold the office of Archivist and Continuing Education Officer. He has directed over 100 doctoral dissertations, 45 relating to Gestalt therapy, and has taught an advanced graduate Gestalt Therapy course at Kent State for over 30 years. He founded and is primary collector for the Gestalt Therapy Archives at Kent State. As Continuing Education Associate for the Gestalt International Study Center at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and as a presenter at major conferences, Dr. Woldt has ongoing contact and involvement with Gestalt therapists throughout the world.

Sarah M. Toman (Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Kent State University, 1995) is a graduate of the three-year post-doctoral Gestalt Training Program at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. She serves as Secretary for the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy. She has been teaching an advanced graduate Gestalt Therapy course at Cleveland State University, where she is an Associate Professor of Counseling, Administration, Supervision and Adult Learning. Dr. Toman serves as Research Chair for the National Career Development Association, has published articles and book chapters, and has offered over 30 presentations at State, National, and International conferences. With Kathryn MacCluskie and Elizabeth Welfel, she is a co-author of the book, Using Test Data in Clinical Practice (Sage 2002).

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1 edition (January 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761927913
• ISBN-13: 978-0761927914
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Contribution to Gestalt Literature, May 24, 2005

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Peter Cole (Fair Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice (Paperback)

I am very impressed with this important and comprehensive contribution to the Gestalt Therapy literature. We have assigned it for our post-graduate training institute. The students find it clear and informative. I highly recommend it for both beginning and advanced students of Gestalt Therapy.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Biased/Un-biased Recommendation, July 29, 2005

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Philip Brownell (Hamilton, Bermuda) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice (Paperback)

First, full disclosure admits that I am a contributing author to this book. However, I'm not writing to advocate my chapter; rather, I'm writing because I am feeling fortunate and grateful to be among the other authors in this great book. That is true, and it is also true that the content and approach to this book provides a comprehensive treatment of Gestalt therapy that serves our discipline well and provides a solid reference for trainees. Many of these authors are people with whom I have been meeting, conferencing, discussing, arguing, and from whom I have been learning ever since I started my journey in formal Gestalt training. I would rank this volume in the top five for Gestalt therapy literature worldwide.

5.0 out of 5 stars gestalt therapy- really excellent, May 4, 2009

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Charlotte E. Corcoran (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice (Paperback)

Many aspects of gestalt therapy presented in a way that I find engaging and at the same time exploring theory in detail. I particularly like the commentaries in the form of a dialogue along side many of the chapters, as they deepened my own thinking. This has been an extremely useful book to me as a resource in my training- I imagine I will continue to re-read and refer back as I begin my practice. It's quite pricey but it is a treasure trove.